Boarding School Directory

Search Boarding Schools in Australia

Use our search filter to browse Australia’s boarding schools by state, gender or location. Click through to school profiles to discover more about what they have to offer.

What’s the difference between a boarding school and a day school? 

Not only do boarding schools present as some of the biggest schools in Australia, but unlike day schools where students return home at the conclusion of the day’s classes, Australian boarding schools take on a residential character where boarders live on campus in boarding houses with live-in staff who supervise and look after your child’s welfare in a nurturing environment.

What are the advantages of boarding school?

Australian boarding schools are well-known proprietors of quality education and diversified learning, often producing students who class as some of the country’s top achievers across a number of curricular areas including academic, sporting and cultural.

However, what really distinguishes Australia’s best boarding schools from the rest of the pack is what students stand to gain in respect to diversity of education be that cultural, geographical, resilience and independent living.

Experience-based learning

Not all learning can be achieved within the confines of a classroom. Boarding schools bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world, allowing students to cultivate a sense of independence and self-reliance as they come to adopt all the domestic and personal duties intrinsic to the boarding lifestyle, from housekeeping to money management. Boarding students in Australia enjoy the experience of living with other students from across the country and overseas, bringing global experiences to their everyday lives.

Extra-curricular activities

Whether your child is yet to find a personal passion or is already in the process of refining their talent, boarding schools offer an extensive selection of extra-curricular programmes designed to hone your child’s abilities and interests to an elite level if that’s where they want to go.  From sport and debating to arts and music, boarding schools are well-equipped to nurture your child’s interests. 

Smaller class sizes

Because boarding schools generally offer more intimate learning environments with modest class sizes, your child will have more opportunities to communicate their thoughts and ideas with teachers and fellow students in the course of day-to-day learning.

Diversity 

Australian boarding schools have an esteemed reputation for cultural diversity, accepting both domestic and international students from vastly different religious and ethnic backgrounds. By being a part of such a diverse boarding community your child will have the opportunity to develop an early appreciation of and respect for individual cultural differences; setting them up for life after secondary education.

How much does boarding school cost?

Boarding school fees are typically comprised of tuition fees and boarding fees. Depending on the location and reputation of the institution, these costs can vary considerably. Prices can also vary according to primary or secondary study, part- or full-time boarding arrangements, and sibling discounts offered by the institution. For information go to our Fees Directory.

How many boarding schools are there in Australia? 

There are almost 200 boarding schools in Australia with institutions located across every state and territory from North Sydney in New South Wales to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. When selecting your preferred school, you have considerable choice in regard to: 

• Religious affiliations (Anglican, Presbytarian, Catholic, etc.)
• Non-demoninational Institutions
• Girls and Boys-only schools 
• Co-educational schools
• High school and primary school-combined options